odyssey
through the publishing world. I worked at various times as a financial
book/newsletter editor, a layout artist, a graphic designer, and a
magazine editor-in-chief, gaining valuable knowledge at each stop.
My path led eventually to the position of Managing Editor and, later,
Creative Director at Pace Products, a children's publisher/packager
that worked with many national clients.

During my four years
at Pace, I learned the ins and outs of children's book publishing.
I also discovered my life calling and my greatest talent: writing
for kids. I proved to be especially adept at mid-elementary science
writing, with an ability to translate difficult concepts into kid-friendly,
easy-to-understand explanations and experiments. My interests, though,
went far beyond the science realm. I developed and wrote arts &
crafts books, activity kits, early-learning products, and much more.
I also began to hone my fiction-writing skills during these years.

In
1999, I decided it was time to turn my love of writing into a full-time
endeavor. Taking a huge leap of faith, I left Pace to launch a freelance
career. Since that momentous day, I have been hired to write hundreds
upon hundreds of children's books (both fiction and nonfiction) and
activity kits. (See my book/kit credits for more information.)
I have also written for the adult market. However, I continue to gravitate
toward children's writing.

This tendency has only increased since
2002, when I and my husband, Michael, welcomed our first daughter
into the world. Today, the Hirschmann household includes two beautiful
little girls, Nikki and Erika, who are a continual source of inspiration
to their mother. Testing experiments and crafts with my children;
visiting their classrooms to give author presentations; reading my
own work to the girls and seeing the delight on their faces;
all of these pleasures increase with each passing year. They also
deepen my commitment to the children's writing genre. Kids' books
are no longer something I "do," they're something I "am." I am deeply
grateful to be working in a field that I love so much.